Highland Park friends, neighbors, and colleagues... our incredible friend, Ilona Kliff, who has worked among many of us through the past 27 years of her time in Highland Park schools, has been going through several medical procedures, tests, and surgeries which have not only caused stress physically, but also financially. In early January 2026, she's going to be having a lung resection to remove a tumor. She will be out of work and recovering anywhere from 4-8 weeks depending on the extent of the resection and her ability to recover. She's ineligible for FMLA through work due to having used time in the past recent months and years for other medical procedures. Please consider donating some funds in order to help support Ilona's groceries, rent, living expenses, and more during this difficult time in which she's not only going to be recovering, but also not receiving a paycheck. If you know Ilona, you know she has a heart of gold. Her favorite song is "That's What Friends are For" and it says everything about her.

If you'd prefer to make a direct donation through Venmo, please send it to @Eileen-Candelaria with Ilona's name in the notes. I'll keep a list of names of donations sent through Venmo to include in a card sent to her with a check on December 24.

I'd REALLY love to reach her goal by December 23 so that she can leave work that day knowing she will be financially stable during her recovery and go into this procedure with just a tiny piece of stress lifted off of her. Thank you for your kindness and generosity - you are so appreciated!! Please share this with colleagues and retired colleagues!